Anyhoo - nice car man, you are very lucky that cam didn't come apart in your engine. That's a very odd break to say the least, I don't understand how that could have happened during shipping.

One thing I wanted to ask - I had an 04 M3, and yes - the car definitely had a raspy noise to it. However, once the car was extremely warmed up - the rasp (to me) seemed to completely dissipate. You didn't have the same experience?

Cheers.

CAM breaking in shipping is one of those HUMMM moments. The packaging was enough so there was no way it would happen. But oh well.

I am running a full SuperSprint setup to a Eiseamman race muffler. That setup seems to remove the rasp. Or I don't really notice it.

After 10 years for going around in circles, I have decided finally, how I wanted to build out my M3. As it is customary, I am joining the build thread group to share in the car modifying experience. I hope you enjoy the thread as much as I have enjoyed owning the car. I have tried to place the images in chronological order as best as I can. I wish I had thought about documenting my cars journey when I first started down the road of modifying my car.

Car History
I started looking in September at 330ci’s, as I wanted a sports car to have for weekend drives. I had never owned a BMW and had only been had owned Ford bronco’s before. After some research, I changed my mind and ordered a M3 as it had the SMG system. I asked the dealer to order a silver one and let me know when it arrived. A week later, the dealer called me and said they had a customer back out of an order and asked if I was interested. At first, I was hesitant because I wanted silver but they gave me the options free off the sticker price so I agreed to buy the car. I am glad they did, as the color is one of the rarer colors for the M3 now. October 15th 2002 I bought my M3 with 88 miles on the clock and the journey began.

My second CSL purchase was the OE CSL Trunk. I think this part started a trend of me having stories when I change something on the car. When I was driving to the shop to have the trunk installed I was pulled over and got a no front plate ticket. No biggie but no one likes talking to the man for any reason. I get to the shop and they install the trunk but when they were backing the car out they backed my car into a Z06 corvette that the other tech was backing up. The look on my face must have been I am going to kill you cause the guy turned pail white. Car was ok other than the paint in the right light showing some spider marks. I will have it repainted soon when I install the OE CSL front bumper. When it rains it poor’s.

Now the parts list you have been most likely saying “come on already and get to the point”… Ok here is a detailed breakdown of what has been ordered to complete the car the way I have envisioned it. This is a complete parts list needed to do any of these items. So if you have questions please feel free to ask. I have listed BMW parts with part numbers and non BMW parts as well. Once I have completed the car I will include a full parts list of the car in its new state.

I am making CSL door panels in alcataera. I got the idea from the interior of my 1M. Also I wanted to be different then everyone.
51417896919 --- Door handle front left-CSL
51417896920 --- Door handle front right

Ok just got through it and this is an excellent build thread, superb honestly. Incredibly detailed, pictures, updates, part numbers, everything. Formatted and spaced correctly, excellent series of updates and the way they are broken up, just very well done. Great car and thread, props.

Car has been dropped of to have the bumper and the front end re-sprayed. Should have it back by the end of the week.. YAY.

A update on driving impression. First I still have not taken the car over 4000 rpm yet so don't ask. The car feels a LOT snappier as well as has that intake rumble. From 1500 RPM up the car feels to respond like the 1M.

I decided to do a complete breakdown on the current setup of the car in regards to parts. This also includes all those little parts that never seem to be posted when these projects are done. I hope that this will help people in the future if they decided to go down this path or just trying to find that missing part. The parts list below is just a parts listing but I have included a price break down in a Google Doc.

Finally got the SMG controller from ESS. I was disappointed in how they returned the unit to me. Controller was not in a static free bag as I sent it to them and it was in a USPS flat rate box with only one pass of bubble wrap. They are also slow to respond to emails. Anyone else have these issues with ESS or am I just the lucky one? I have taken it for about 40 miles of driving and can’t tell 100% if there is a change. From what I notice it seems to change up a smidge faster and downshifts are a smidge faster in feel. I am taking it on a “spirited” drive this weekend.

1st off, phenomenal build -- The E46 M3 is the most beautiful modern M3 IMO and you've kept the car very tasteful with all the mods (cannot get past how beautiful the OEM CSL intake looks in that engine bay).

The reason why I quoted this is 1st off, you're not the 1st person to have "issues" with ESS. 2nd, I'm even more surprised that you were with ESS when you could've gotten the OEM CSL SMG coding on your car & instead of going with a 3rd party??

I went with ESS as based on my research the ESS software is the fastest for the SMG controller. Since the post I have been feeling the difference. The software is noticeable when you are getting on it and driving hard. When driving lazy you really do not feel the difference. Hope that clarified things there.

I just updated the XLS Sheet with a few KEY parts that were missed. I also added in parts estimates based on past parts as well. Based on the current prices I would have been HOSED. Glad I got a lot of this done YEARS ago.

That was an amazing write up.. I have been drooling over the CSL since it came out and seeing yours with all those CSL goodies is //MMM good. :-) I have seen 5 CSLs in person in my life and they never ever get old.. You have a nice life with the M3 and M1:-)

So I finally have a real update. I got the car back from interior and paint touch up WOOT. Interior looks great and the CSL 1M doors look pretty good. I REALLY need to clean the inside as the car has been gone for 4 months and the shop dust builds up. So here are some quick interior images.

So I finally have a real update. I got the car back from interior and paint touch up WOOT. Interior looks great and the CSL 1M doors look pretty good. I REALLY need to clean the inside as the car has been gone for 4 months and the shop dust builds up. So here are some quick interior images.

I spent Saturday morning on 4/20 installing the passenger seat sensor. The Install was easier than I made it to be as I didn’t realize the seat sensor I needed was on the bottom of the old stock seats. So had to go over to storage and get the part and plug it in. Next step is to go to the local BMW shop to clear the passenger airbag code.